Chapter 479: Seven-Orifice Tribulation-Crossing Flower

As several demonic cultivators below the stage fumed with righteous indignation.

The high-level Jin Dan cultivators had already begun bidding, engaging in fierce competition.

"Damn it!"

"We absolutely cannot let Elder Yang's demonic treasure fall into others' hands—we must secure it at any cost!"

In an instant, the demonic cultivators joined the frenzied auction; the hall erupted in noise, and the price of this third-rank superior Black Smoke Demon Fan skyrocketed before the stunned gazes of all present. Qin Ming watched the bidding from his private booth and couldn't help clicking his tongue. "Only in Great Jin could there be so many wealthy people."

"Yet, those invited to this auction by the Ten Thousand Dao Merchants' Society are no ordinary folk—they all carry deep roots."

After an exceptionally fierce bidding war, the demonic treasure was finally claimed by a demonic Jin Dan cultivator.

Onstage, Elder Jin Han gazed at the feverish auction atmosphere, and for once, his stern face cracked into a faint smile.

He clapped his hands, and the maid brought forth the next item.

As the red cloth was lifted, five delicate porcelain vials appeared on the tray. Elder Jin casually cracked open one jade vial and poured out a Zhan blue elixir; a fragrant, soothing aura spread through the air.

"Fifteen Foundation Establishment Elixirs."

"Starting bid: twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones per pill."

…

As a strategic resource, Foundation Establishment Elixirs were monopolized by major sects and powers even in Great Jin.

Yet, at an auction of this scale, a few were inevitably released.

After several high-value items had been auctioned, it was only fair to offer some benefits to mid- and low-tier factions.

After all, fifteen Foundation Establishment Elixirs, with good fortune, could cultivate several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After the Foundation Establishment Elixirs were sold.

The Five Blessings Auction House followed up with dozens of second-rank rare treasures.

At this moment.

Seeing the atmosphere sufficiently charged, Elder Jin waved his hand, and a female cultivator—whose aura and beauty surpassed all previous attendants—glided gracefully to the center of the stage, carrying a white jade tray.

On the white jade tray rested a single purple-gold jade vial; merely from its exterior packaging, it was clear the contents were extraordinary.

As Elder Jin opened the jade vial and poured out a golden-hued elixir, seven Dao patterns floated upon its surface.

The moment this elixir appeared, every cultivator in the hall held their breath.

Elder Jin scanned the crowd and raised his voice: "One third-rank mid-grade Dust-Extinguishing Elixir, crafted by Grand Master Su Yuqing of the Longting Lake Su Clan of Zhongzhou!"

Boom! The atmosphere instantly reached its peak.

"Dust-Extinguishing Elixir! Cleanses the roots of tribulation's impurities."

"It's a third-rank mid-grade elixir!"

"And from the hands of Grand Master Su!"

The Jin Dan cultivators in the hall were visibly moved, their faces lighting up with excitement.

Each step in a Jin Dan cultivator's breakthrough is fraught with difficulty; most low-grade Jin Dan cultivators remain trapped in the early stage of Jin Dan for their entire lives, unable to cross this bottleneck.

Thus, the fervor these cultivators felt toward the Dust-Extinguishing Elixir was understandable.

Qin Ming, watching below, also showed a look of surprise.

"It seems the Ten Thousand Dao Merchants' Society truly has its ways—somehow securing even one Dust-Extinguishing Elixir from Brother Su."

Next,

The auction hall's atmosphere grew taut as a drawn bow.

"I offer twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

A gaunt, green-robed old man spoke in a sinister tone.

"Twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones to claim this elixir? Elder Yan, you're dreaming," sneered a blood-robed middle-aged man nearby. "I bid thirty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

His bid drew furious curses from other would-be bidders.

They'd just jumped ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones—they suspected the Ten Thousand Dao Merchants' Society had hired shills.

"Hmph! What's your meaning, Blood Refiner?"

"Who ever bids like this to inflate prices? Do you think the old patriarch is easy to bully?" The green-robed elder's eyes darkened with malice as his Jin Dan magic power surged, a clear threat.

The Blood Refiner wasn't intimidated; he smiled sweetly. "Auction rules: highest bidder wins."

"If you can't afford it, don't humiliate yourself. Besides, you're an old man, half-dead already—what do you need this rare elixir for?"

"You'd only waste it."

Elder Yan's composure shattered. He stood up, eyes blazing. "Blood Refiner, what business is it of yours? I'll buy it for my descendants—what of it?"

"You've provoked me repeatedly—do you want to test your skills against mine?"

At that moment,

"Are you done yet?"

"If you two want to spar, I'll oblige."

Elder Jin onstage unleashed a massive spiritual pressure that turned every cultivator's face pale.

The Blood Refiner and Elder Yan were shaken white-faced by the late-stage Jin Dan pressure and dared not utter another word.

Seeing they'd calmed, Elder Jin spoke: "Anyone who disturbs the auction order will face my unrelenting wrath."

"This is a single warning—no second chances."

"Auction continues!"

"Thirty thousand mid-grade spirit stones—is there any higher bid?"

…

The hall resumed its feverish bidding.

In the end, the Dust-Extinguishing Elixir was won by a Jin Dan family of Great Jin at a high price.

The two demonic cultivators who had shouted loudest earlier could only glare helplessly, their faces flushed with rage.

The excitement over the Dust-Extinguishing Elixir had not yet faded.

At Elder Jin's signal, another white jade tray was brought forth—again holding a delicate jade vial.

"The next item is one of the auction's climax pieces."

"One Core Formation Elixir!"

"This Core Formation Elixir was recovered from an ancient ruin, perfectly preserved, with no loss of potency, and authenticated by a master alchemist."

"Starting bid: ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

As Elder Jin spoke, numerous family factions, willing to bankrupt themselves, bid fiercely for the Core Formation Elixir.

After all, producing even one Jin Dan cultivator could ensure a family's glory for centuries.

The factions below went mad—the Core Formation Elixir's price even surpassed that of the Dust-Extinguishing Elixir.

Moreover, whoever won it would surely be targeted by other powers—unless they had powerful backing, they'd have to rent a spirit vein cave in the Five Elements Mountain Bazaar to break through on the spot.

Otherwise, with so many hungry mouths and so little meat, lacking sufficient strength was like a child picking up gold—only to be murdered for it.

Even if you won the Core Formation Elixir, whether you'd live to leave was uncertain.

Qin Ming sighed deeply—he'd gained valuable insight.

After the Core Formation Elixir was sold.

…

"The next item is somewhat unique."

"Also one of the auction's climax pieces."

Elder Jin Han, solemn-faced, personally carried forward a long, rectangular jade box sealed with several high-grade sealing talismans.

After Elder Jin carefully removed the talismans and opened the jade box, a peculiar spiritual plant lay still within.

The entire plant emitted a strange, fragrant aroma, wrapped in a halo of seven-colored Dao essence, shaped like a lotus, its blooming petals revealing seven glowing points.

"Seven-Orifice Tribulation-Crossing Flower!"

"Your Ten Thousand Dao Merchants' Society is auctioning a Nascent Soul cultivation item?!"

Before Elder Jin could speak, a middle-stage Jin Dan elder in yellow robes below recognized the plant—his eyes glazed over, filled with disbelief.

In the private booth,

Seeing this item finally appear, Qin Ming's gaze sharpened, his spirit instantly alert.

(End of Chapter)